Lark Hall Infant & Nursery Academy Nursery Review

Learning to take turns, manage personal routines and start their own play gives Lark Hall’s nursery its character. This is the school’s provision for three- and four-year-olds on Clifton Avenue in Tamworth, with entry from the term after a child turns three.

Large double open-plan classrooms and an outdoor area built for the provision give children space for different kinds of play. Nursery belongs within the school’s early years provision: in March 2026, Ofsted judged early years to meet the Expected standard. That judgement covers early years across the school, rather than a separate nursery inspection.

Play provides the starting point for learning. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together communication, physical skills and emotional development with early reading, mathematics, creativity and understanding the world. For parents, that means learning extends beyond recognising letters or counting: conversation and playing alongside other children matter too.

Adults plan around children’s interests and help extend their thinking through questions and conversation. Climbing and balance activities develop body control, while making marks and handling tools help children practise smaller movements. In March 2026, children increasingly chose and began activities for themselves. Independence grows through practice.

Indoor and outdoor activities remain accessible through the morning, rather than being interrupted by a separate morning break. This gives play time to develop. The early years curriculum also introduces number patterns, measuring and counting through practical activities, alongside storytelling and opportunities to use new words. These experiences connect language and mathematics to things children can explore.

Warm exchanges with adults support speaking and listening. In March 2026, this approach helped children who initially struggled to communicate become more willing to speak and initiate play. Nursery children also practised looking after themselves, cooperating and waiting for a turn, making everyday routines part of their social learning.

Families receive updates on learning and guidance for supporting development at home. Across the school, SEND support includes speech and language work, social skills groups and exercises for fine motor development, with regular meetings involving parents. The March 2026 inspection also identified a school-wide need for further staff training to adapt learning for pupils with multiple needs. PECS and visual prompts support communication and understanding routines; these are school-wide arrangements rather than a separate nursery package.

For afternoon or all-day attendance, families can send a packed lunch or choose a charged school lunch. That choice matters when planning both the session and its additional costs.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through Staffordshire Admissions, so choosing the nursery and obtaining a school place are distinct decisions.

For the September 2026 intake, the application window ran from 1 November 2025 to 15 January 2026 and has closed. Late applications for that intake go through Staffordshire Admissions. Keep the Reception application separate from arrangements made with the nursery office.

Confirm current nursery session times with the school office. Funded provision can be taken as morning, afternoon or all-day attendance, with additional hours charged. The funding arrangements include 15 hours from the term after a child turns three and places for children receiving 30 hours funding. Ask the school for current charges.

Applications for nursery go through the school office. Contact office@larkhall.staffs.sch.uk or call 01827 215333. The office provides the pre-school application pack, giving families a direct route to arranging attendance.